Michael F. Colley

Colley Michael F. Colley, age 78, died Saturday, June 20, 2015. Born in Youngstown, Ohio on October 26, 1936 to Marie and Frank Colley, Michael F. Colley was educated at St. Mary Magdalene School on Columbus' west side. He played football and baseball, at St. Charles Preparatory School from which he graduated in 1954. As an undergraduate at The Ohio State University, he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity where he served as President in 1957-58. He was also a member of the Ohio State University baseball team. Following his graduation in 1958, he attended and graduated from the Ohio State University College of Law, earning a Juris Doctoral degree in 1961. Following his graduation from law school, he served in the Ohio National Guard and as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Columbus City Attorney's Office. He began a very successful career in private practice joining George Tyack and Paul Scott to form Tyack, Scott and Colley. Subsequently, he completed his legal career at Colley, Shroyer and Abraham. Colley became active in politics and in 1967, he helped to start the CapCity Young Republican Club. Detailed organization and grassroots mobilization would become the hallmarks of his early successes in politics. He was elected Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party in 1978, a post he held for 26 years. He served as Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party from 1982 to 1988, and was a member of the Republican National Committee from 1982-2004, having attended 10 national conventions as a Delegate. He concluded his service to the public as a member of the Franklin County Board of Elections from 2003 to 2012. Colley's unparalleled persuasiveness and firm communication style earned legal victories for his personal injury, medical malpractice and product liability clients and the accolades of his peers. From 1971 to 1972, he served concurrently as president of the Ohio Academy of Trial Layers and the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association. He would later serve as president of two leading national legal organizations, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1978-79) and the American Board of Trial Advocates (1997), the only person to have ever headed both prestigious organizations. Colley's leadership extended well beyond law and politics, including working with many community service organizations. He helped form Directions for Youth and Families in 1968 which has its roots in the Franklin County Juvenile Probation Council. Michael served on the Ohio Board of Regents from 1982-86, and was appointed in 1991 to a nine year term on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, The Ohio State University, serving as the Chairman of the Board in 1999-2000. During his tenure as a Trustee, the university enjoyed a continual growth in its national rankings to becoming one of the Nation's Top Public Universities. As a Trustee, he was an integral part of the selection of two outstanding Presidents with whom he worked closely including, E. Gordon Gee and William English "Britt" Kirwan. Throughout his lifetime, snow, rain or shine, Michael was also a fixture at virtually every home and away football game - regular season, bowl games and National Championship games, as well at many of the Buckeye basketball games including Final Four appearances. Michael was predeceased in death by his parents Frank and Marie Colley, and is survived by many cousins including, Rita Gaulke, Jodi Miller and Michael Capuano. He died peacefully on June 20, 2015 following a more than 20 year courageous struggle against Parkinson's Disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Road, Upper Arlington beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2015. A luncheon reception will follow immediately after the service in the Bryce Eck Center. A private Committal service will be held at a later time at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law for the Michael F. Colley Trial Advocacy Skills Program or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been completed by EGAN-RYAN FUNERL HOME, 403 East Broad Street. Visit www.egan-ryan.com to offer condolences.